The bank raised the upper level of the rate corridor to 7.00 percent from 6.75 percent and the lower level - to 6.00 percent from 5.75 percent.

The new agreements – 28 in all – were known in advance but clinched at talks last week in Moscow between Lukashenko and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Today the Russian Trade and Economic Development Council is working on 25 international markets to support Russian companies expand abroad as well as helping international businesses move into the Russian market.

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.1 percent year-on-year in January-July compared to a 6.1 percent contraction in the same period last year.